Keeping score on paper

A paper score pad is one of the simplest tools at a game night. It needs no batteries, everyone can see the numbers, and anyone can check a total by reading down a column. Writing each round down also gives players a record they can look back on if a question comes up.

Pick a column layout

Give each player or team a column, and put one row for each round. Write the names across the top, and leave a space at the bottom for the total. A scoreboard on screen can do the same job when you want a larger display for the whole table.

For games with a few players, one column each is easiest to read. For team games, write the team names instead, and keep each partner's contribution in a note beside the column if the rules need it.

Use running totals

Add each round's points to the total from the previous round, rather than adding the whole column again at the end. Write the running total under each round, so you can see the state of the game at any moment. Check the final total against the column once before announcing a winner.

Use tally marks and squares of five

For points that come one at a time, tally marks are quick to make. Draw four short vertical strokes, then a fifth stroke across them. Groups of five are easy to count at a glance, and a bundle of tallies can be totalled in seconds.

Some card games use the same idea with bigger shapes. In Truco, for example, points are often tallied by drawing squares of five, a method that is easy to read at a glance.

Regional notes

Scoring rules differ from place to place, and families and clubs often have their own versions. The notes below describe common practice only.

Truco. Truco is played in Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. In Argentina and Uruguay a game is often 30 points, split into two tallies called malas and buenas. Truco Paulista, played in Brazil, is often played to 12 points. Separate columns for each side can make truco tallies easier to follow.

Baloot. Baloot (بلوت) is popular in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf. Scores are written in two columns, لنا ("us") and لهم ("them"), and a common game ends at 152 points. Keep the columns clearly labelled, so that every round is written under the correct heading.

Tarneeb. Tarneeb (طرنيب) is played in the Levant, often to 41 points. A simple two-column layout for the two teams works well, with a running total under each round.

Belote. Belote is a classic French card game. It is often played to 1000 points, though 501 points is also common. Agree the target before dealing the first hand.

Generala. Generala is a Latin American game played with five dice. Its scoring is organised by categories such as escalera, full, póker and generala. Many groups draw one row per category and write the result of each turn in the matching row. House rules vary, so agree how each category is filled before you start.

Agree the target before you start

Decide the target score before the first round. Whether the game ends at 152, 41, 501 or 1000 points, or after a fixed number of rounds, everyone should know it in advance. A target agreed at the start prevents the end of the game becoming a debate.

Tip: Write the target at the top of the score pad, next to the names. Anyone who arrives late can see at once how the game ends.

Paperoom's score pads print ready-made sheets for dice and card games, so you can start scoring without drawing a grid by hand.